West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1887-03-10
STRICKEN DOWN.
REV. HENRY WARD BEECHER
AT DEATHS DOOR
suddenly Stricken Down by Apo
plcXy His Case Pronounced
Hopeless From the start

suddenly Stricken Down by Apo
plcxy.-His Case Pronounced
Hopeless From the start
Rev. Henry Ward Beecher was stricken
down with apoplexy in his sons house In
Brooklyn early Friday morning. By noon
Saturday he was almost unconscious On
Saturday night he was somewhat better, bu,
little hopes were entertained of his recovery.
His condition remained without noticeable
change up TO IL p, Il Sunday He was We,
unconscious and said TO be- slowly sinking.
Sunday was communion day in Plymouth
Church, Brooklyn, and n large gathering OF
the congregation attended the services. The
services opening with prayer, be5eeching
the Almighty TO strengthen the pastor. Mr.
Beecher, in his serious illness. Communion
followed, during which messages concerning
Mr.. Beecher's condition were read and caus-
ed tears 10 how in abundance among the
congregation. Other prayers were ofr.re 1
FOR Mr. Beecher. After the services were
concluded a special meeting OF the church
trustees was held, and committee consisting
OF John I. Howard, Augustus Stowe, S. v
White, Roster w. Raymond, Thomas Til
ney, along with the assistant pastor. Rev
Mr.. Halliday, was appointed to take charge
OF the church affairs until a definite point in
Mr.. Beecher's illness was reached
Mr.. Beecher was born in Litchfield, Conn,
June "a, 1918. His father was the Rev. Ly-
man Beecher, minister OF note I'm his day.
AT the age of 81 Mr.. Beecher received his
degree and went to Lane Seminary, at Gin
cinuati, 20 study theology. Graduating from
that institution he went 10 Lawrenceburg, a
little place on the Ohio river and preached
to his first congregation. His next move was
to Indianapolis, Ind.
His wife was born at West Sutton. Wor
cester county, Mass, in 1872 She was OF
English descent Her maiden name was
Eunice White Billiard. She was educated at
Worcester and Hniley, Nus an while Mr..
Beecher was at Amherst her brother invited
him over to spend his vacation. Here she
met him. The lovers were engaged for seven
years, and were married in 1897, when NJ
Beecher accepted his first call at Lawrence
burg. The issue OF the marriage was ten
children, Of whom four are at present living
lt was almost 10y accident that Mr. Beech
er came TO Brooklyn. What is now Plym.
outh Church had first been orgauizsl into q
new Congregational church, The first ser.
vices were TO DO held on the 10Th OF MAY,
leiL He happened to be in New York at
the time and was asked to preside at tho
opening Of the New church. He did so.
few months later he was called to the pastor,
ate, and on the 10 h of October, in the Same
year, he entera1 upon his duties.
Almost from the beginning Of his career in
Ia ..I.fr l.. l..
ator, and even distinguished himself and his
church by the power and passion of his de.
livery and by the beauty Of his language.
and his congregation grew until the limits
OF the building checked the increase.
In 1868 he visited England with the mis-
sion Of disabusing the people there OF their
false ideas about the war for the Union. and
his mag 1ificent oratory there had wonder,
full effect upon public opinion,
The most sensational episode Of Mr.. Beech.
er's life was the Titon trial. Ir the summer
OF 1874 the Plymouth Church appointed a
committee to investigate the charges OF Theo-
dore Thton to the effect that Beecher had
been crimiually intimate with Mrs. Tilton.
On August 10 Til.on brought suit agains.
Beecher for 5000 damages. The trial
was b-AbiA JANUARY - 1910 Win n great
ray Of counsel. The testimony closed May 10
after the examination OF Ill witnesses. Judge
Nelson on June "a, charged the jury, which
after a consultation OF eight days reported on
July that they were unable to agree. -
All through the trial Mrs. Beech
ct sat beside her husband in the
court which was packed day after day. and
in the daily papers thousands Of columns
we're consumed in reporting every word ut
tered. it was never tried again. The enor-
nous exPenses Of the defense were met by a
generous subscription and many Of the par
ucular phrases used have passed into some,
thing akin TO proverbs, Mr.. Beecher's letter,
were remarkable productions for any man
other than Beecher to pen, and the explana.
ton Of them, so that men generally and
l1rymen couli comprehend them, was the
task Of his counsel Mr. Tilton is now in
Europe, passing much o. bis time with bis
three married lighters. Mrs, Tilton is in
this country.